The Story Of The African Child.

I will like to define Africa as a continent wherein the generality of children live under conditions which are neither comfortable nor sanitary and these children do not have access to their daily nutritional or dietary needs. I define Africa in this way because I believe a country/ continent or people are judged by their youth.
In Africa certain comforts that the developed world has taken for granted remain a luxury reserved only for the very rich.Let me skip the horrible story of the general inaccessibility to ante-natal care and high rates of maternal and infant mortality to the part of the story that focuses on those children who do make it to the world alive and healthy.
In recent times, a lot of focus has been on the need for the mothers to breastfeed as breast milk has been found to be better than formula milk. The average mother here in Africa cannot afford to effectively do this because she cannot afford to eat in order to meet up to the demands of lactation. So what does she do? She breastfeeds her child alright but subconsciously or otherwise reduces his eating times or the length of it. This is so she does not feel weak and faint beyond what she can bear. The baby in turn adapts to its mother's regime. But what does this mean for the baby? It does not receive as much of the essential nutrients it requires; this affects his growth, his immunity and he spends more time crying than he really should.
Due to the poor sanitary conditions, a lot of children become sick, and die prematurely due to non access and other times inability to afford medical attention.Being a tropical continent, Africa is blessed (?) with warm weather and sometimes it becomes really hot and uncomfortable. Remember there generally is epileptic supply of power (where there is), hence no air-conditioning. At times when it is really hot the young are worst hit. They break out with heat rashes and other attendant complications including chicken pox, cerebrospinal meningitis etc. Obviously such children sleep little, cry a lot, grow slowly and are in essence unhappy.
The story of the African child is a very long one. I can't tell it all. But try I will in the hope that someone somewhere is listening / reading and is able to change things so the story has a happy end.

In Bed!

Yep! the kids are in bed now having their afternoon siesta. I know i need this time more than they need to sleep(truly). At least some 45mins of sanity when i can be a non-mom (if ever there was such a word). As much as kids are fun, adorable and cute (mine are particularly so) , it gets to a point you get so tired of minding them , you just want to be on your own. For me, this is the only time of the day i really look forward to; to be able to do my own stuff. And when they wake up i am so delighted to see them again( believe me!). And the cycle starts again!

Preschoolers love Barney

I think its the richness the show has in sing alongs and the full participation of kids from all races in it. The show is one kids show that does not stereotype race or gender and thats why it appeals to young preschoolers. As for older children, i really can't be sure. I've met some who like it and others who don't. But in all i think its a really good show and i love the way it encourages my preschooler to come running to gimme a hug when the song says so. Gotta go now but remember, I LOVE YOU.

Kids

Kids will always be kids and as long as parents, guardians and teachers realise this, they'll have a healthier relationship with them. Never expect the same thing from all of them cos like adults, they too are individuals with their own peersonalities. Parents are often the most guilty expecting that since one child of theirs can do a thing then the others too must. Please respect their personalities!

Get more followers

Get more followers

PostPartum Experience

Like pregnancy and labour every postpartum experience is unique.Fundamentally,its the same afterall its the time after delivery. First there is the painful episiotomy site which makes sitting down and getting up a major task.then there are the endless sleepless nights when the baby's cry means you need to either change his diaper or feed him, or just hold him and sing him to sleep.For me, i'm hoping this period moves quickly i cant wait to be able to sleep all night again!

Sleepy

You see that's my daughter's way of saying she wants to sleep. Sleep is a vital ingredient for growth in young children. It is essential for brain development, coordination, activity and all round happiness of a child. A child who is denied of sleep will most likely be dull and cry for no good reason. A good environment for sleep must be created and this starts from the right sleep wear. This however depends on the weather and health of the child in question. A general rule however is that the child must wear something that is comfortable and will not cause him to sweat. The room must be airy without being cold. A quiet environment is also key to a sound sleep. Alot of children love to be cuddled to sleep or rocked or sometimes they want to be sung to. Well, whatever works for your child please do it cause they really need to sleep and soundly too!

The First Born Syndrome?

The First Born Syndrome is a term my friends and I use to refer to a certian manner of behaviour we have come to associate with the first born children of most families.

First of all, the first born is the first and only child ever to exist in a family unit. In most cases the first born enjoys an immeasurable amount of love, care, affection and attention. Same cannot be said of his siblings. These influences as a child go along way to mould the child's personality even to adulthood.

To my mind, the most defining characteristic of your average first born is that he is very emotional. You see, he cries easily and flares up terribly due to alot of bottled up issues. This is because as a child, the first born was always attended to, his emotions cared for and respected so it becomes difficult as he grows into the real world where no one has the time or patience to hold his hand like mom and dad did.

Another characteristic of the average first born is that he is highly opinionated. you see, being the eldest child in the family his parents either consciously or otherwise sought to make his siblings respect and obey him, hence in most inter-sibling squabbles, arguments and fights his parents judged him to be in the right. Quite naturally, he got used to always being right and even as an adult cannot see why people just can't see that he is ALWAYS right.

One thing you cannot take away from a first born child is that he is usually very responsible especially if he has other siblings. A first born is usually very grateful and dutiful to his parents and generally to people. He easily assumes responsibility and discharges his duties with a high sense of RESPONSIBILITY.

They just must eat!

Yeah kids just must eat. Parents know that but do they (the kids)? Especially those really little ones like my under two year old. You see kids about this age really need food to grow and parents often worry themselves sick trying to get the food down their tiny throats. A great number of times its not that they don't want to eat its just that they want to play with the food first.What to do? the best bet is to allow them go ahead and be kids afterall they are just being their age! Your job is to ensure you create a clean eating environment so you only have cleanong up to worry about.

Eating With Preschoolers

Eating could and should be fun for preschoolers. A great amount of time and energy is spent convincing preschoolers to eat. Sometimes the problem is not really that they don't want to eat its that they want to make a mess of the food before they take it in. What should be done? Allow them be kids after all this is the probably the only time they'll get to be kids in a whole lifetime. Your job is to ensure that their hands are clean and the environment they are going to be eating in is clean that way you'll have only cleaning up to worry about.

Kids Rebel Again

Deciding how to handle kids rebellion could be difficult but how about avoiding it or reducing it to the barest minimum? Often times the reason why kids really rebel is because they think they know better and that parents are too busy in their adult lives to understand them. this could be true in most cases. Parents must put in extra effort irrespective of their busy schedule to show their kids that they are very interested in their lives, intrigued by their ideas and really just can't wait to hear what they've got to talk about.

Deciding how to handle kids rebellion could be difficult but how about avoiding it or reducing it to the barest minimum? Often times the reason why kids really rebel is because they think they know better and that parents are too busy in their adult lives to understand them. this could be true in most cases. Parents must put in extra effort irrespective of their busy schedule to show their kids that they are very interested in their lives, intrigued by their ideas and really just can't wait to hear what they've got to talk about.

Kids Rebel

Between what you want your kids to do and what they really end up doing or want to do is there always a clash? Could it be that you think to correct the errors you made in the past by trying to guide or sometimes enforce certain rules on them? Well, whatever be the reason i strongly hold the opinion that parents do have the responsibility to guide their kids. But how to guide them positively without adverse rebellion from the kids is really a delicate matter. First of all your personality and example as a parent is essential. if your kids love your personality you become a model of sorts to them then your job of guiding them becomes very easy. Let them see that in all you do they are what really matter, i don't mean drumming it into their ears all the time, i mean actually doing it and making it your second nature. That way they learn to really trust that your advice or counsel is all about them.